Maggie Moo Does Jiu Jitsu

1. You get more excited about Gi shopping than shopping for clothes or shoes

2. You name your pets after BJJ Icons, here I have Kimura and Helio

3. You have to be the first to get the underhook while giving a friend a hug

4. Spooning turns into taking or defending the back.

5. You spend more time watching BJJ videos than watching television

6. All of your non- BJJ friends are annoyed with you because they are honestly sick of hearing about your training.

7.When you extend your hand for a handshake you accidentally go thumbless

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8. You pay special attention to the fight scenes in films and look for proper execution of moves and throws

9. You find yourself using random Portuguese phrases

10. Your R's are becoming H's "Hespect" and "Honda Housey"

11. You attempt to teach moves to every small child you know

12. You have shrimped out of bed in the morning

13. Every form of agreement in life is signified with "Oss."

14. When you're watching UFC, you're the only person in the room who doesn't yell "stand 'em up" the second the fighters go to the ground.

Are you obsessed? What else would you add?

How you feel inside after submitting someone who's being an asshole

But how you look on the outside

When your technique defeats someone who uses all strength

When someone says they want to "roll light"

Me (on the outside) when somebody insults guard pullers

On the inside....

How I look while trying to learn the new warm ups....

When the upper belts decide to humble a mat bully

When I retain my guard while someone is trying to smash pass

Everyone in the academy when it's time to clean the mats

When I'm exhausted after a roll but then I get a second wind

Nickname: Bia
Team: Gracie Huimata
Lineage : Mitsuto Maeda-> Carlos Gracie-> Helio Grace-> Royler Gracie-> Vini Aieta -> Leticia Ribeiro
Belt Level: Black Belt
Signature Position: Guard
Weight Division: 64kg-141lbs

Why I love her: Beatriz is pure athleticism and she has the guard I aspire to have, complemented by insane core strength. She's calm, calculated and focused and combines many of the best aspects of my favorite competitors both male and female. She is eagle eyed and keeps her focus on a single objective, her opponent focuses on defending that objective and she opens them up to be finished in a million different ways, all of which she appears to be expert in.

Best Asset: Her scramble game! I have no way of knowing what her guard retention rate is...but I can tell you it is pretty damn good because of her efficiency in the scramble that allows her to seamlessly transition from open guard, defend and end up with the opponent right back in her guard.

Check out "Bia" featured below with the rest of the Gracie Humaita Ladies, discussing women in the sport.

If you know anything about me, you know I am morally opposed to "testing." As a teacher, as a human, on principle and especially in Jiu Jitsu. It is a topic I have heard furiously debated in the BJJ community. When I heard I would be taking a test for my Blue Belt, I turned to my boyfriend and said "Nope, no way. When the professor thinks I'm ready he will give it to me." In my mind, I had this magical Mr. Miyagi, "you have done well grasshopper" moment on replay. My boyfriend said "He would not let you test, if you weren't ready to do it. Stop complaining and get it done. I'm not going to let you sand bag forever." My previous motto was "white belt for life."

I begrudgingly and nervously, studied all of the moves and information I was supposed to know for the next few weeks. I was horrendous at the street defense aspect and figured that area is one, where I should fail just on principle.

By the time the test came around, you could feel the nerves. The school was packed with students assisting with our tests. We were to demonstrate our skills in front of the class. Every time I have ever been asked to answer a question in class or demo a move, I turn into a big ball of nerves and uselessness and typically end up giggling like an idiot while my professor corrects me, even if it something I know how to do. During this test our professor would call out a move and counter and one by one we would demonstrate with our partner. I've played rugby for years so I am no stranger to having crowds full of people watching my every move, including mistakes, but somehow this felt more personal. Having another partner, relying on me to not mess up was definitely added pressure. I had a rocky start and when the professor asked me "which sweep is that?" I responded "Ummm, an improvised one?" As the test went on, I actually surprised myself with how much I knew. There were so many things I had no idea that I knew. It was also pretty amazing seeing the other people I had worked so closely with demonstrate the things they knew. I felt proud watching each person show something they learned and it was awesome getting to see a bit of their personal style.

After we completed the testing portion we moved onto the live rolls. Arguably, the harder portion for me at least. The first section was a test of knowledge, but this tested our heart. We started in various positions, always in the inferior position as fresh legged training partners came in to either sweep or submit us. There were no breaks and it allowed very little time to think in between partners. It all came down instinct. Before the test, the other blue belts told me to conserve my energy, use my technique and trust it. The first few rounds were difficult and I soon forget about conserving my energy. By about the 10th person I stopped worrying about being tired and starting focusing on trying all of the things I have always wanted to try. It became less about survival and more about proving something to myself.

Honestly, I have never been more proud of myself and that certainly isn't something that I say often. My general go to mode is "humorously self deprecating." My professor knew I could do it, my boyfriend knew I could do it and afterwards I knew that I could to. I have changed my beliefs on testing. It isn't better or worse than being granted a promotion when your professor thinks you are ready. What it did do, however, was reassure me that I was on the right track, that I could defend myself if need be and that I could absolutely do the things that had previously seemed impossible.

When I attempt a takedown on one of the upperbelts...

When someone asks a "question." That isn't really a question but a demonstration of their "skills"

When our class learns an escape for a submission I use constantly....

How I feel with submissions that require me to feed a lapel through....

When my professor asks me if I understand why I got caught in a submission.......

When someone goes knee on belly and ask me how the pressure feels.....

When you underestimate someone smaller than you during a roll....

When I have to go to work after missing a week of training.....

My constant Jiu Jitsu thought process...

After rolling with someone who has a great top game......

I'm not huge on making new years resolutions mainly because I think we should strive to better all of the time and not just after January first. However, jiu jitsu seems to be a worthy cause for my goal setting, so without further ado...

1. Test for my blue belt.Who doesn't wish they could be a white belt forever?! It's so comfy there!

2. Do my first competition in the United States

3. Get down comfortably to the women's light weight class by April

4. Take a jiu jitsu vacation with Mike

Guam June 2014

5. Blog at least 3 times a month

6. Make my passing game solid!! I recently had a really fantastic bout of tennis elbow, making my spider guard pretty ineffective. To accommodate I have started working on making my passing game more solid and efficient. I want to have at least 3 passes as my "go to."

7. Make more time to study outside of class

What about you? What are you BJJ Goals and Resolutions for 2015?

Recently read a post about the Negatives to Training With Your Significant Other and thought I'd take a look at the positives.

1. It's an excuse to spend quality time together, even if it is beating each other up. You don't have to worry about a significant other who thinks you're training too much. I understand his obsession and he loves that I train as well.

2. It makes you closer: sweat in your eyes, in your mouth, in your nose- everywhere. Awww how sweet. But seriously, jiu jitsu has helped to make us a great team when we work together.

3. You have a constant jiu jitsu dummy to test your moves on around the house. Mike can expect to wake up to some glorious shoulder pressure in the morning.This can also fit under the negative, but all in all I see it as a positive.

4. Hugs turn into battles for under hooks and that's just pretty awesome.

5. You have consistent training partner with your best needs in mind. I spend most classes working with someone else, but whenever I work with him I know he's got my back.

6. It builds trust. My boyfriend has put me in a headlock, guillotine, arm bar, triangle chocke, s mount, anything uncomfortable- you name it. When your boyfriend spends a significant amount of time putting you in vulnerable positions, but never injures you, there is a level of comfort and trust that develops.

7. Mutual benefits from our different styles. When he rolls with me he uses very little strength, and I, in turn, am also forced to focus on my technique. I love open guard and Mike is much more diverse in his approach, so he has been invaluable in helping me develop like I have.

8. Supporting and seeing your partner thrive.Watching Mike train has given me an appreciation for how skilled and talented he really is. When I watch him compete, I find myself in awe of him. He is the person I want in my corner and the one person who's advice I always take to heart. He is also my greatest supporter at tournaments and one of the only people who can keep me focused and grounded.

9. Understanding your partners frustrations/injuries. Training gives you perspective on the frustrations that many practitioners face, even if you do not face them yourself. When Mike is tired and has a back injury, I'm less likely to be upset that he doesn't want to make a 50000000 mile journey on a camel with a packet of jerky and a backpack full of stones! Honestly, It makes you more patient and epsom salt baths with mutual complaining sessions are a plus!

10. Three Words: Jiu Jitsu Vacation! Much easier to convince a significant other who trains, than a friend who doesn't, that you should pack your bags and go train in some tropical place!